Signal envelope and list protector



United States Patent 3,295,237 SIGNAL ENVELGPE AND LIST PROTECTOR Peter E. Rooney, 8752 N. 76th St, Milwaukee, Wis. 53223 Filed Apr. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 359,988 1 Claim. (Ci. 40-16) This invention relates to improvements in signal envelopes and list protectors, and more particularly to a novel signal envelope and list protector of the reflector type.

An object of the invention is to provide a weatherproof envelope for a car list to be used in railroading.

Another object of the invention is to provide the envelope with a luminous reflective element held therein to be used in the operation of signalling.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view in elevation of a transparent plastic envelope showing a fragmentary portion of the car list card contained therein.

FIG. 2 is a rear view in elevation of the transparent envelope containing the sheet sprayed with luminous paint.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through the envelope and contents,

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral it) refers to the device generally embodied in a transparent plastic envelope open at one end, containing a car list utilized in railroading designated by the numeral 11. The list 11 contains the station number, a list of the freight car numbers, contents, tonnage and destination. The envelope protects the list from adverse weather conditions as well as wear in handling. The envelope It also contains a sheet or card 13 which has a coating of luminous paint as viewed through the rear segment 14 of the envelope.

In use the envelope and contents serve a double purpose. The car list may be used in the regular way by the 3 ,295,237 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 yard employee, and when reversed is employed as a signal to the engineer of the train of cars, the painted element 13 acting as a very adequate signal.

It will be understood that the device is capable of many modifications in structure and design, without departing from the spirit of the invention, within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

For use by a railroad worker, a flat elongated plastic envelope having substantially flat coextensive spaced transparent sides, a closed end and an open end, a first card inserted through said open end and disposed in the envelope and of a size and shape complemental to one of the sides, said card having an outer face Containing information respecting the make-up, stops, routing and destination of a train and said outer face with such information being clearly visible through said one side and a second card inserted through said open end and disposed in the envelope and of a size and shape cornplemental to the other side and being interposed between the first card and the other side, said second card having an outer face coated with a luminous substance visible through said other side so as to serve as a signalling means when the envelope is held in the hand and waved by a. railroad worker.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,342,005 2/1944 Mittag 129 X 2,725,913 12/1955 Horwin 40-159 X 2,889,878 8/1959 Reinholdt 40129 X 2,986,144 5/1961 Sheppard 40--159 X 3,017,051 1/1962 Rosenfeld 25071 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

W. I. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

